PSL 2018: Windies star batsman opts out of Pakistan leg of the tournament

The 2018 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is nearing the business end. The buzz around the playoffs is immense. The very basic reason why the hype is increasing manifold is the fact that the playoffs will be played in Pakistan. While the fans are excited about the prospect, the players are not. Recently, Windies batsman Lendl Simmons has opted out of the tournament playoffs.

Lendl Simmons is currently plying his trade for the Karachi Kings in the tournament. He has been one of the key players for the Karachi franchise in the tournament thus far. However, with the playoffs scheduled to be played in Pakistan, Simmons announced that he will not be travelling to Pakistan with the team in the elimination matches.

The Karachi Kings are scheduled to play the winner of the Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in the second Qualifier. The match is scheduled to be played on March 21. If they win the match, they will meet the Islamabad United in the finals of the tournament for the ultimate game.

Interestingly, Lendl Simmons is not the first overseas player from the Karachi Kings camp who has decided not to travel to Pakistan. Earlier, veteran English batsman Eoin Morgan had also pulled out of the Pakistan leg of the tournament.

Players of Zalmi willing to travel

Meanwhile, the defending champions, Peshawar Zalmi are in a happy space in this regard. The owner of the Peshawar Zalmi has confirmed that all the overseas players of the franchise are willing to travel to Pakistan for the business end matches.

On the other hand, the Quetta Gladiators will be missing the services of their overseas players. Jason Roy had pulled out of the matches scheduled to be played in Pakistan. More recently, two premier Australian cricketers have also pulled out of the tournament. The Quetta Gladiators owner has expressed his disappointment over the pulling out of major overseas players from the playoffs fixtures.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.